This week’s main Bollywood release, “Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns” – Hindi for “Master, Wife and Gangster Returns” – is sequel to a 2011 film by the same name.

The movie’s plot centers on a complex gangster feud and love triangle.

“Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster” ends with Saheb (Jimmy Shergill) on a wheelchair following an attempt to kill him by a gangster. A wealthy man, Saheb has a rocky relationship with his alcoholic wife Madhavi (Mahie Gill), who is also a politician.

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In the sequel, Saheb is threatened by another gangster, Indarjeet Singh (Irrfan Khan), who falls in love with his wife, Madhavi. Meanwhile, Saheb grows closer to Ranjana (Soha Ali Khan), who is also sentimentally attached to Indarjeet.

Here is a roundup of what critics had to say about the movie.

Writing for Rediff, Raja Sen calls the movie a “theatrically indulgent entertainer, one that makes no bones about its pulpiness and stays well and truly juicy.”

According to him, the film is “much sharper” than its precursor.

The characters of the movie are unpredictable, and the plot will keep the audience guessing what their next move will be, notes the critic. “Their fascinating amorality keeps the narrative tense and genuinely unpredictable,” says Mr. Sen. Like others, he also found the dialogues “tremendously entertaining.”

He lauded the performances of all the lead actors but said the film really belongs to Mr. Shergill. “He dominates proceedings with delicate nuance and wonderful presence,” says Mr. Sen.

He gave the movie four stars out of five.

Bollywood Hungama critic Taran Adarshsaid the movie had a “riveting first hour” but that it was inconsistent in the second half.

Although the movie “gathers steam” it was no match to the first film, says Mr. Adarsh.

But he was impressed by the actual characters, who he described as equally impressive.

Mr. Shergill plays his character with “remarkable ease,” Ms. Gill plays her role with “accomplishment,” and Ms. Khan delivers a “solid performance,” he says.

The critic said Tigmanshu Dhulia directed the film well. Mr. Adarsh gave the movie three-and-a-half stars out of five.

Ananya Bhattacharya of Zee says the movie “mesmerizes” the audience leaving them with a “plethora of inexpressible emotions.”

According to Ms. Bhattacharya, the movie succeeds in holding the attention of the audience for its entire duration. “One wayward glance and one regrets missing something!”

She praised the performances of the actors in the movie saying the characters were “well fleshed out” and play their parts with “breathtaking ease.”

Mr. Shergill’s performance was “spectacular,” Ms. Bhattacharya says. “The sheer brilliance with which he portrays the frustrations of a man confined to a wheelchair…is extremely laudable,” she adds.

Ms. Gill’s performance is a combination of poignancy and shrewdness while Ms. Khan delivers a “power-packed” act, she says.

Ms. Bhattacharya added that the screenplay deserves an “ear-splitting applause,” and gave the movie four stars out of five.

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTVdescribes the movie as a “riveting and buoyant film,” for how it manages to keep the audience engaged throughout the movie.

While film has many “wonderfully written” scenes, he said some sequences “aren’t that convincing.” The climax of the movie is “sharp” and “unfussy,” says Mr. Chatterjee.

The dialogues in the movie, which are written by Mr. Dhulia, “are never less than sparkling,” he adds.

The critic praises the performances of the male actors saying Mr. Khan is as “brilliant as ever” and Mr. Shergill is “impressively steady.”

But he didn’t find the women as impressive.

He also pointed out some other flaws in the movie. The film is set in Uttar Pradesh, but “you get to see nothing at all of that state,” says Mr. Chatterjee who also found the background score to be “too raucous.”

Overall, however, Mr. Chatterjee said he “unequivocally” recommends the film, giving it three-and-a-half stars out of five.

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